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Mansory Does Its (Wild Carbon Fibre) Thing With G90 BMW M5

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Mansory is no stranger to turning heads and causing controversy, and its latest take on the G90 BMW M5 does just this. The German tuner has now taken the already bold super sedan and dialled everything up to eleven. Image: Mansory Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! The stock G90 M5 already splits opinion with its design, but Mansory has gone all in with a wild body kit. The most obvious change is around the back, where the traditional quad-exhaust layout has been replaced by a centre-mounted triple-exit setup that looks like it belongs on a concept car. It’s surrounded by an aggressive diffuser with three vertical fins on either side, just in case anyone needed more confirmation that this is no ordinary M5. Up front, things get just as dramatic. A vented bonnet with a prominent carbon fibre bulge dominates the view, while Mansory’s signature illuminated badges are everywhere, from the fenders and grille to the Hofmeister kink and even the charging port. The...
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Latest Generation Q3 Revealed and Ready to Serve as Audi’s Compact SUV Offering

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Following suit from the A5, Q5, fully electric A6 and Q6 E-Tron models, Audi has now revealed its next-generation Q3. Image: Audi   Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Now in its third generation, Ingolstadt’s compact SUV has been given a much-welcomed overhaul and promises several powertrain options and a thoroughly updated interior to match the bold and personable exterior. Speaking of which, Audi’s smallest SUV adopts split headlights, which is interestingly a design element that the larger Q5 skips. The upper DRLs are cited below the bonnet, while the matrix LED clusters are positioned lower down, behind darkened glass – Audi says each unit boasts a whopping 25 600 micro-LEDs. The rear has been given similar treatment with a divided LED light bar, which complements an OLED upper section and offers six customisable lighting signatures. Further down, there aren’t any faux exhaust tips but instead a clean diffuser and hidden tailpipes across the ran...
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The A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA: LDV

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With the influx of Chinese vehicles on the South African market, our overview of these often little-known brands will help you make sense of this new motoring movement – from what’s on offer to the exciting new models on the way. Today is the turn of LDV. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! LDV Fast Facts Headquarters: Shanghai, China Founded: 1993 SA lineup: 1 model Cheapest model: T60 (from R480 000) Most expensive model: T60 Max Lux DC 4WD D/C AT (R790 000) The name Leyland DAF Vans ( formerly Leyland DAF Vehicles ) was introduced in 1993 after a successful buyout, followed by a rebrand to LDV in 1994. SAIC’s 2010 acquisition was a much-needed reset for the struggling automaker as its fortunes were, fortunately, turned around. In South Africa, LDV is operating relatively under the radar, with only the T60 bakkie in its portfolio. This model is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with the highest output coming in at 160 kW and 500 N.m. ...
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The A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA: Jetour

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With the influx of Chinese vehicles on the South African market, our overview of these often little-known brands will help you make sense of this new motoring movement – from what’s on offer to the exciting new models on the way. Today is the turn of Jetour. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Jetour Fast Facts Headquarters: Wuhu, China Founded: 2018 SA lineup: 2 models Cheapest model: Dashing (from R699 900) Most expensive model: X70 Plus 1.5T (R484 900) Arriving in the second half of 2024, Jetour is a Chery sub-brand operating as a standalone entity in South Africa. Despite its Chery roots, it operates, as far as possible, independently, be it in R&D, vehicle production, or sales. This same approach is applied in SA, where Jetour is adamant about affirming its independence. Locally, it offers two models: the Dashing and X70 Plus, with the latter offering seating for up to seven passengers. A 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine powers the portfol...
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Used Case Study: Jeep Renegade for Under R300 000

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Jeep’s Renegade city-slicker may not have adhered strictly to the brand’s ethos, but it found a receptive audience with style-conscious buyers looking to detach from the hatch pack. We explore this model as a second-hand purchase and list two of its rivals Image: Peet Mocke Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! The Renegade’s arrival on our market back in 2015 was no doubt met with some misgivings; bringing out an FWD boutique model seemed somewhat out of character for a manufacturer renowned for producing a long line pf hard-as-nails SUVs. But with the market for fashionable, town-friendly crossovers and compact SUVs really taking of, the baby Jeep’s introduction was in fact a masterstroke that proved a sales success and injected life into a Jeep brand that was beginning to stagnate. Underpinned by a modified version of FCA’s SCCS platform, which serviced a wide variety of B-segment models – from hatchbacks to mini-MPVs and crossovers, including the close...
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The A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA: JAC Motors

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With the influx of Chinese vehicles on the South African market, our overview of these often little-known brands will help you make sense of this new motoring movement – from what’s on offer to the exciting new models on the way. Today is the turn of JAC Motors. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! JAC Motors Fast Facts Headquarters: Hefei, China Founded: 1964 SA lineup: 6 models Cheapest model: T6 (from R359 900) Most expensive model: T9 2.0 CTI double cab 4WD Super Lux (R659 900) JAC Motors was officially launched in South Africa in 2017 and has gradually increased its footprint across the country. Today, the Chinese automaker boasts more than 70 dealerships nationwide and has doubled the size of its parts warehouse in 2024. While the model count is six (nine, if you include the trucks), only the T6, T8, and T9 bakkies will find favour with the broader public, whereas the X200 single cab, X200 double cab, and X200 EV classify as small trucks. ...
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Hyundai Goes Aero Mad With Pikes Peak Prepped Ioniq 5 N

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There is plenty of motorsport happening today, including Formula 1 and Le Mans, but here is a look at something that takes aero to another level. Hyundai and Evasive Motorsports have prepared a bespoke Ioniq 5 N for this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on the 22nd of June. Image: Hyundai Looking for a new or used Hyundai? Find it here with CARmag! Driving duties fall to Rob Walker, a Pikes Peak veteran who previously ran a Scion FR-S. The car has been overhauled specifically for the 103rd running of the event. Evasive Motorsports calls it their “most ambitious EV project to date,” and that’s not just marketing talk. The Ioniq 5 N has dropped 227 kg thanks to a fully stripped cabin and extensive use of carbon fibre. That includes new doors, a custom tailgate, and other lightweight components. Finding race-ready parts for the Ioniq 5 N wasn’t easy. With limited aftermarket support, Evasive turned to Japanese aero firm Voltex, which came up with a bespoke body kit. It in...
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